I'm sure this has probably been asked before, and I asked it in my introduction, but I hope you all will indulge me by allowing me to ask it here as I need a quick answer.

I have a brand new cage for my soon to come home Quaker. What can I use to clean the cage and bowls? Alcohol or a bleach solution? Bowls into the dishwasher?

Thanks in advance.

You can either wipe down the cage with "white distilled vinegar" or GSE (grapefruit seed extract) these are both good disenfectants. Some people use bleach, I don't, for fear I might not get it all rinsed off and it is toxic to our birds. You can use it, diluted, but you have to be sure and rinse very well. Some people use hydrogen peroxid. I usually wash dishes for the birds in the dishwasher. I have several sets......

White distilled vinegar? Wow, I had not heard that one before. I think that is exactly what I will do. I could actually bring the little fella home tonight if that is the case. We'll see. Thanks for the quick response, and I'll go off and learn how to do searches on this forum so I am not always cross-posting.

just make sure that you dillute the vinegar. I usually have a pail of water and just pour in some vinegar, probably 1 part vinegar to 3 or 4 parts water (I don't measure) there is no need to rinse...except the toys and dishes.......